Manchester City have announced former Wales international Gareth Taylor as their new head coach.
The 47-year-old Taylor has signed a three-year deal to coach the Man City side that were in the midst of a title race when the season was ended.
After the departure of Nick Cushing earlier this season, speculation was rife with who would replace him.
Taylor will hope to replicate Cushing’s success at City. The outgoing manager won six trophies in as many years with the sky blue side of Manchester.
City have made another “in-house” appointment for the role with Gareth Taylor having spent eight years as under-16 coach at the club.
His roadmap is extremely similar to his predecessor with the move from youth football to the women’s team.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have joined Manchester City Women,” Taylor told mancity.com.
“I’m extremely excited about the challenge ahead with a very talented group of players and staff who have enjoyed a lot of success in recent years.”
Taylor had a journeyman career in football, making over 600 for 13 different clubs in his playing days.
He also spent two seasons at Man City as a player and was part of the team that won promotion from League One in 1999.
Taylor made 15 appearances for Wales in his career.
Man City’s head of women’s football, Gavin Makel expressed his excitement about the appointment.
“Over the last few years, I have been fortunate enough to see first-hand the qualities that Gareth possesses,” Makel said.
“Not only in terms of his abilities as a coach who develops individuals, but also in the way that he leads, whilst exuberating the values and ethos that we hold dear as a Club.”
Alan Mahon took interim charge of the team whilst the search for a new head coach went on.
The Irishman will remain an integral part of the Manchester City setup.
“I would also like to add my thanks to Alan Mahon,” Makel said. “[He] stepped up in light of Nick’s departure and who continues to be an integral part of our operation.”